Gloucester Rugby reveal fixture against Japanese national side

Gloucester Rugby can proudly reveal that Japan will be coming to Kingsholm to play Nigel Davies' Gloucester side on Tuesday November 12th 2013 (kick off 7:45pm).

With Rugby World Cup 2015 just two years away, and Japan in pole position to qualify as Asia 1 and play two pool stage matches in Gloucester, it gives the Cherry and Whites and the Cherry Blossoms a chance to lock horns and, for the Japan squad, an opportunity to get to know Kingsholm.

Japan, who recently made history by beating Wales in a Test match for the first time, are an exciting and flourishing rugby nation and will be the latest international side to play at Kingsholm following in the footsteps of Australia, Fiji, Ireland and Samoa in recent years.

Ranked 15th in the World, and coached by Eddie Jones, the Cherry Blossoms will host the 2019 Rugby World Cup, and have been involved in every tournament since it began in 1987.

Gloucester Rugby CEO Stephen Vaughan spoke today of his delight of welcoming Japan to Kingsholm, and of how exciting it is to include them in the first team calendar.

"The club is thrilled that Japan will be playing at Kingsholm. The game will add to the stadium's credentials for staging big matches featuring international sides.

"Japan are developing a proud rugby heritage with over 125,000 registered players. Their recent success over Wales shows the talent that they possess and how our squad will be challenged.

"We know that Gloucester supporters love to watch international talent grace the Kingsholm turf and, with Gloucester a likely destination on Japan's World Cup 2015 schedule, we hope that the Cherry Blossoms will become an adopted nation in the city."

Vaughan also confirmed that tickets for the match will be competitively priced in the hope that there will a big crowd on the night.

"It will be an all pay game but we'd love as many Gloucester fans as possible to be there on the night.

"Our Early Bird offer of £4 off means an adult seat will cost just £15 and standing tickets are £10. U16s can watch for £5 or just £1 with the Early Bird price.

"Gloucester Rugby Season Ticket Holders will also get an extra £2 discount per ticket off. So, as long as fans don't wait until the last minute, they will get a tremendous deal."

Gloucester's much changed side had to overcome conceding an early try on Thursday evening, but responded in style to down Stade Rochelais by 35 points to 14 in the European Rugby Challenge Cup and set up a mouthwatering return fixture next weekend.

Having named an unchanged starting XV for the past three Aviva Premiership games, Gloucester Rugby ring the changes and retain only five players for Thursday's visit of Stade Rochelais in the European Rugby Challenge Cup (kick off 7:45pm).

Talk about a game of two halves. Things looked grim on Saturday as Gloucester trailed 0-6 to Bristol at half-time. However, Matt Scott's eighth try of the season got Gloucester off and running, and the visitors fell apart as the Cherry and Whites eased to a 26-18 bonus point Aviva Premiership win.